The Significance of Hematological Parameters Related to Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiencies

Abstract

Background: Health services in Sudan have recently deteriorated due to ongoing armed conflict. Poverty and nutritional imbalance elevate the risk of hypovitaminosis. This study aimed to identify the hematological parameters linked to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate. Methodology: The current investigation was a descriptive prospective study conducted at El-Obeid Teaching Hospital in North Kordofan State, Sudan. The study included 200 individuals (100 anemic (cases) with MCV>100 fl and 100 apparently healthy volunteers (controls)) who served as an internal control for comparing hematological parameters. Results: We recruited 200 Sudanese adults aged 21-95 years, with a mean age and Standard Deviation (Std) of 52±16. Of the 200 participants, 34% were males and the remaining 66% were females. The mean concentrations of Hb, RBCs, and PCV of the cases were lower than in normal controls. The mean MCV ± Std values for cases and controls were 114.7 fl ± 9.6 and 86 fl ± 3.9, respectively. Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 84% of patients. Folate deficiency was observed in 13.6% of participants with high MCV. Conclusion: Anemia is associated with a high MCV, together with changes in other hematological markers. These variations provide guidance for megaloblastic anemia etiology prediction. Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common than folate deficiency in this series of patients. Further research is necessary to stabilize the relation between hematological parameters and prediction of the cause of megaloblastic anemia.